Fort Pierce officials pitch creation of port authority

Aerial of the Port of Fort Pierce on the Indian River Lagoon in Fort Pierce on Jan. 28, 2014.

Treasure Coast Newspapers

FORT PIERCE — In an effort to bring more jobs and revenue to the city of Fort Pierce, the city commissioners have agreed to pitch the creation of an interlocal port authority to the St. Lucie County commissioners.

Despite being within Fort Pierce city limits, the current port authority is run by the county commissioners.

Creating a new port authority would help reduce crime rates and create jobs, according to Fort Pierce Commissioner Reginald Sessions, who led the discussion at Monday's city commissioners meeting.

"The Port of Fort Pierce, in my opinion, is the answer to a lot of these problems," Sessions said. "It would promote the development of the city."

Fort Pierce is a prime location for a port authority because there is a port, airport and railroad in proximity, which would allow for more foreign trade, Sessions said.

St. Lucie County Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson said the county commissioners will take the committee's recommendation into consideration and work with Fort Pierce commissioners to discuss logistics when it's presented to them. Hutchinson said it's too early to tell what the future holds for the port.

The port spans about 290 acres with 87 of those being vacant. Of the vacant acres, 20 are owned by the county and 67 belong to Lloyd Bell. The rest is largely privately-owned land, St. Lucie County Port Director Don West said.

Indian River Maritime also owns 11 acres, which is used for cargo transport. Many believe the port would serve as a prime location for trading.

West said the Army Corps of Engineers is scheduled to dredge the port this week. It hasn't dredged the port since 2002, and muck and sand accumulated. The port is supposed to be 28-feet deep, but West said it's about 23-feet deep, which makes it difficult — if not impossible — for large vessels to use the port.

Fort Pierce Mayor Linda Hudson said a new port authority would allow a new board to be formed, which would allow those in charge to pay more attention to the port.

The St. Lucie County Harbor Advisory Committee currently oversees the ports, and Hudson said they are on board with creating a new port authority.

"They have just completed their policy document, and it's going to the county, and that includes a recommendation to consider a new form of governance, which is basically code for a port authority," she said.

Sessions agreed that now is the time to act.

"This is a move toward finally doing something to help our economics," he said.

The city commissioners are targeting a June workshop to look at costs and logistics.